Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has spoken out to deny claims that he disrespected veteran star Pete Edochie. Some reports had suggested he accused Edochie of acting like the oldest Nollywood actor, but Udokwu said this was never true.

In an interview with NollyNow, Udokwu explained that his words during a podcast were twisted. He stressed that he never insulted Pete Edochie and had great respect for him.

The actor clarified that while he began acting earlier in the Nollywood era, he never said Pete Edochie was pretending about his career timeline.

“The idea that I said Pete Edochie is parading himself or deceiving people never came from me. That is false. What I explained was that if we are talking about Nollywood as an industry, I started before him. But Pete had already played his legendary role in Things Fall Apart, which was not part of Nollywood. Even Kanayo O. Kanayo once made the same point,” Udokwu explained.

He noted that Edochie’s famous role in Things Fall Apart happened before Nollywood officially began, and therefore should be seen separately from the later works of the film industry.

Udokwu, who currently serves as Special Adviser on Entertainment, Leisure, and Tourism to Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, added that he has nothing but admiration for Pete Edochie.

According to him, African culture teaches respect for elders, and he would never go against that. “Pete Edochie is far older than me. In our tradition, we never insult our elders. I deeply respect and admire him,” Udokwu said.

The actor also reflected on his early Nollywood roles in series like Checkmate and films such as When the Sun Sets. However, he noted that those appearances were not part of Nollywood’s official beginning.

His clarification comes after false stories circulated online, trying to create tension between him and the highly respected Pete Edochie.